Dispensing and measuring apparatus adapted to handle hygroscopic granular materials and actuated by the container being filled



March 23, 1954 w. J; EMMONS ET AL DISPENSING AND MEASURING APPARATUSADAPTED TO HANDLE HYGROSCOPIC GRANULAR MATERIALS AND ACTUATED BY THECONTAINER BEING FILLED Original Filed April 16, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS WILLIAM J- EMMO/VS BBYER/VARD GALLAGHER ATTORNEY DISPENSINGAND MEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTED T0 HANDLE HYGROSCOPIC GRANULAR MATERIALSAND ACTUATED BY THE CONTAINER BEING FILLED Original Filed April 16, 19487 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 23, 1954 w. J. EMMONS ET AL V 2,673,017

/60 F II 00 I 2 436 INVENTORS WILLIAM-J. sumo/vs BERNARD s. GALLAGHER l0BYal I L z flog ATTORNEY March 23, 95 W..J. EMMONS ET AL DISPENSING ANDMEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTED TO HANDLE HYGROSCOPIC GRANULAR MATERIALS ANDACTUATED BY THE CONTAINER BE ING FILLED Original Filed April 16, 1948 7Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS WILLIAM J. EMMO/VS B WARD S. GALLAGHER ATTORNEYMarch 23, 1954 w. J EMMQNS ET AL 2,673,017

DISPENSING AND MEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTED TO HANDLE HYGROSCOPICGRANULAR MATERIALS AND ACTUATED BY THE CONTAINER BEING FILLED OrigirflalFiled April 16, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS WILLIAM J- EMMONSBERNARD 5. GALLAGHER WWW A A7 QR/VEY Man}! 23, 1954 w. J. EMMONS ET ALDISPENSING AND MEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTED T0 HANDLE HYGROSCOPICGRANULAR MATERIALS AND ACTUATED BY THE CONTAINER BEING FILLED OriginalFiled April 16, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 7 0 2 7 2 a 6 m m 4 l E 1 .\ll/. 7z a a 2 w 0 4 W 8 W a a [y 4 8 o a 3 3 I a 3 33% A/@ 1 A 3 ll 3 J m 2 l6 5 w a E a w 5 m 2 4 9 if 3 E I w M \\\\\S\\\\\ W a w 2 M I 4 :1 V a mmu mm INVENTORS WILLIAM J. EMMONS ggfiWARD S. GALLAGHER ATTORNEY March23, 1954 W. J. EMMONS ET AL DISPENSING AND MEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTEDTO HANDLE HYGROSCOPIC GRANULAR MATERIALS AND ACTUATED BY THE CONTAINERBEING FILLED Original Filed April 16, 1948 7, Sheets-Sheet 6 :YER/VARDGALLAGHER AfraRA/EY March 1954 w. J. EMMONS ET AL DISPENSING ANDMEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTED TO HANDLE HYGROSCOPIC GRANULAR MATERIALS ANDACTUATED BY THE CONTAINER BEING FILLED Original Filed April 16, 1948 7Sheets-Sheet 7 j INVENTORS WILLIAM J. EMMONS g'R/VARD 8. GALLA GHER ATTOR/VEY Patented Mar. 23,1954

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING AND MEASURING APPARATUS ADAPTEDTO HANDLE HYGROSCOPIC GRANULAR MATERIALS AND ACTUATED BY THE CONTAINERBEING FILLED 'William J. Emmons, Alameda, and Bernard S. Gallagher,Piedmont, Calif., assignors to Salter Machine Company, Oakland, Calif.,a corporation of California Original application April 16, 1948, SerialNo. 21,374. Divided and this application July 18, 1949, Serial No.109,799

14 Claims. I

The apparatus which we have invented is especially useful in a canneryas a machine for storing granular sodium chloride or granular calciumchloride and dispensing a measured amount of either directly into eachcan, either before or after the can-has been filled with food products.

Heretofore it has been difficult to store, measure, and dispensehygroscopic materials in the moist air of a cannery. The availablemachines were either unsuited to large scale, rapid operation or wereunable to keep hygroscopic salts dry enough so thatthey would flow.Moreover, the machines tended to be complicated. Ihey were expensive,difiicult to assemble and disassemble, and hard to keep clean. Thehoppers often became clogged by the salt,'and, since the machines wereclosed, it was necessary to look inside the machine frequently in orderto see whether the hopper was clogged or empty. In spite of regularexaminations, it often happened that many cans received no salt beforethe clogged or empty condition of the hopper wa discovered.

One object of this invention is to, provide a highly efficient apparatusfor holding, measuring, and dispensing hygroscopic materials.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser which iseasily cleaned, and is especially adapted to being cleaned by washingwith water, steam or air.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser forhygroscopic materials which is so constructed as always to be subject tovisual inspection.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser forhygroscopic materials in which the hopper can be closed oii, withdrawnfrom the measuring and dispensing portions of the apparatus, and usedfor dry storage of the material.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispenser having aspecially constructed non-clogging magazine beneath the hopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel heating unit whichmay be used to maintain arid conditionsinside a dispenserfor'hygroscopic materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-contained,removable heating unit for a dispensing apparatus.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus whichis adaptable for storing, measuring, and dispensing a large variety ofmaterials.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hopper having means tomaintain an even pressure in and an even flow through the bottom of thehopper.

Another object of the invention is to provide a dispenser forhygroscopic materials having means associated therewith for warding ofisteam which would moisten the materials.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description. A preferred embodiment is described in detail, inaccordance with the provisions of U. S. Revised Statutes, Sec. 4888, butit is not intended thereby to limit the claims thereto.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a View in front elevation of'a device embodying the principlesof the invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in elevation and in section, taken along the lineII--II of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view taken along the lineIII-III in Fig. 1; v I

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of the linkagebetween the upper and lower frame portions;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view taken on the line V--V in Fig. 1; s

Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of Fig. 1, the scalecorresponding to that of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged view of the bottom portion of Fig. 2, the scalecorresponding to that of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail view in section of a portion of thedispensing apparatus, the scale corresponding to that of Fig. 5; r

Fig. 9 is a view, somewhat enlarged, taken on the line IX-IX of Fig. 1;v

Fig. 10 is a view similar to and on the same scale as Fig. 9, showing aportion of the apparatus with the swing shield swung to its out- Fig. 13is an enlarged detail view of the under side of one portion of theheater plate;

Fig. 14 is'a view, partly in section, of that portion of the machinewhere the air scavenging current crosses the metering disc underneaththe heater and goes out through a slit in the base ring;

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the magazine;

Fig. 16 is a bottom plan view of the magazine;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a portion of the upper closure plate of thedispensing chamber.

The machine as shown comprises broadly an enclosed hopper unit A adaptedto have its humidity under control regardless of the humidity of thearea in which the machine is in use; and below it a dispensing unit Badapted to be secured alongside a can line in a cannery and to drop intoeach can a measured amount of flavoring as the can goes by.

The hopper unit includes means C for detachably securing it to thedispensing unit; and means!) for shutting its outlet when the units areapart and are stored separately.

The dispensing unit includes a measuring disc E, av funnel F withagitating means G, a magazine H to assure level measurement in the topof the measuring disc, a floating shoe J on the bottom of the measuringdisc, shields K and L, and heating meansM to keep the parts hot and freeof moisture. A more detailed description follows.

The general framework The entire apparatus is usually supported above abase plate ID, on three standards I2, and I3, andisadapted to be. placedbeside a can conveyor for step-by-step rotation by contact with eachpassing container.

Held bythe standards, at a level high enough to give ample clearance tomoving containers is a horizontal base ring l4. The short rear standard|3 terminatesv adjacent to the ring l4 (see Figs. 2.- and 7), but theside standards H and I2 extend through and above it (see Figs. 1 and 6),being inset at l to. provide flanges |6 on which the ring l4 rests.

On the base ring [4 is mounted a central frame member 2 0. Its two legs2| and 2-2 rest on the ring l4 and are positioned by the standards H andI2, which extend through them and termin-ate above them at substantiallythe level of the upper surface 23 of the frame 20. All the measuring anddispensing machinery is supported by the ring l4 and frame 20.

Above the center frame 20 is mounted the hopper or storage portion ofthe apparatus. A

tubular metal frame 30, shaped like an inverted U. with its legs 3| and32 resting on the standards II and I2, supports the hopper 60 and theplate 40 which closes the upper end of the measuring and dispensingchamber. Each leg 3| and 32 of the tubular hopper frame member 30 isenclosed in an insulating rubber tube 33, so that it. can be handledwhen the frame 30 is still hot. The lower end of each leg 3| and 32 isinteriorly threaded at 34, and a stud 35 is threaded therein. Preferablya plastic fitting 3.6 surrounds the lower end of each leg 3| and 32, itsupper end fitting under the lower end of the insulating rubber tube 33.The lower end of the fitting 36 is inset at 31 to provide a flange 38so. that it may fit upon and in an opening 4| through the closure plateThe opening 4| extends through the thickened rim 42. of the plate 40 andisradially offset at 43. The. stud 35 extends. through the opening 4|and 4 a lock nut 44 is tightened around its lower end so that the plateis secured to the frame 30. An insulating washer 45, preferably, isprovided between the plate 40 and nut 44.

The frame coupling Preferably, the frame 30 is attached to the standardsII and I2 by a coupling of the type shown in Fig.4. A socket 50, securedaround the lower end of each stud 35 by means of threads, is boredthrough radially by several holes 5|, tapered, inwardly. Each holereceives a ball 52 which is of larger diameter than the small end of thetaper. The lower end of the socket is flared at 53 and acts as a stop tohold the collar 54. The collar 54, which preferably is a phenolicmolding so that it can be handled when the machine is still hot, isslidably mounted on the socket 50. A spring urges the collar 54 normallydown against the flange 53. In this lower position the inside wall ofthe collar 54 holds the balls 52 in the tapered holes with part of eachball projecting through the small end of its hole. When the collar 54 islifted, its flare 59 moves up opposite the balls, and they are then freeto move outwardly enough to allow each ball to move clear of the innerwall of the socket. 7

When the collar 54 is held in its upper position, a rounded and insetupper end 36 of the standard I or l2 may be inserted into the socket 50.If the collar 54 is then released, the spring will push the collar down,which will push the balls 52 into the annular groove 51 on the end 56,so as to lock the parts together.

The hopper assembly The hopper assembly, which comprises the frame .30,closure plate 40, hopper 60, and skirt I00, is separable as a unit fromthe rest of the apparatus when the latter is being cleaned or when thehopper assembly is stored so that it can be used for dry storage ofhygroscopic materials, without having to put them back in their originalcontainer or some other container.

The hopper 60, itself, is preferably made of some lightweight,transparent material such as an acrylic resin, and comprises a lower,funnelshaped portion 6| and an upper, generally cylindrical portion 62.The upper portion 52 is formed or molded with a recess or spline 63 (seeFig. 3) oneach side to receive thelegs 3| and 32 of the frame. Aroundthe inside of the hopper 60 where the lower and upper portions 6|, 62meet, is a, rim 64,. and on it preferably rests a screen 65, whichserves to keep large chunks of material from falling through into thelower section 6| (see Figs. 2 and 3).

The upper end of the hopper 68 is covered by a dome, preferablycomprising two movable aluminum sections-an inner segment 10 and anouter segment H. Both of these are pivoted to the upper rim of thehopper at l2 and 13 so that the inner segment H1 may be swung inside theouter segment 5| or the outer segment i I. may be swung around the innersegment it when the hopper til. to be filled. Inside a turret orenlargement l4 on the upper part of the segment H is an electricalsocket T5 with a light bulb it. Any other suitable heating element maybe substituted. The heat from the bulb serves to keep the interior ofthe hopper at an elevated temperature sothat, hygroscopic material iskept dry. The inner segment 'l-il protects the bulb 78 when the dome isopened. The deflection of heat by the aluminum dome helps maintain thehopper interior at an elevated temperature.

From the socket 15 an electric cable 11 leads to a main electricalconnector 80 mounted in a bossed opening 8I through the closure plate40, where all of the electrical controls are centralized. The plug 89 iscompound and links the cable 11 with a main cable 82, which leads to asource of A.-C. current, and to a thermostatic control cable 83, whichleads to a thermostatic switch 8! held by a bracket 35 on the lowersurface of the plate 4d. The switch 84 is thus in the dispensing chamberwhen the hopper 68 is mounted in position and is responsive to thetemperature therein to connect or disconnect the main cable 82 with theheater cable 86 whose plug 81 fits into the main connector 80 (see Figs.'7 and 11). All of the electric lines are preferably grounded by a thirdwire.

To minimize heat transfer, the lower surface of the plate 49 is providedwith insulator buttons 88 which rest on the surface 23 when the hopperassembly is installed (see Figs. 7 and 8). A large, off-center opening89 through the plate 4|] receives the mouth or discharge opening 90 ofthe hopper. An upper gasket BI is provided between the mouth 9% andplate it and resiliently supports the weight of the hopper St. A lowergasket 92 is also provided to cushion the hopper mouth 90 when it restson the funnel III) during operation.

Around the upper interior rim 66 of the hopper are one or more lugs 94(see Fig. 2), from one of which is suspended a hooked rod 95 having atits lower end a ball stop or baffie member 96. When the hopper 60 isused for feeding granular material, this ball 96 hangs as shown in Fig.2 and maintains an even head and therefore an even pressure on thegranular material in the hopper mouth 99, funnel III], and magazine I30, no matter how much salt is above the ball 95 in the hopper. By thismeans the salt is kept flowing evenly through the hopper opening. Whenit is desired to separate the hopper 60 from the rest of the apparatus,the handle 95 may be removed from its anchor 94 and the ball 96 loweredto close the hopper mouth 98.

The skirt IIiil preferably is transparent and is slidable up and downaround the hopper 60 (see Figs. 1 and 2). In its lower position theskirt encloses the dispensing chamber. Its upper gasket IIlI fitsagainst the upper closure plate II], and its lower gasket I92 fitsagainst the base ring I4. It can be easily raised and lowered by itshandles H33, and may be retained in its upper position by inserting theelastic band 98 into the notches IEM. The elastic band 98 encircles thehopper 60 just above the studs 91 (see Fig. 1). The skirt IIII! remainsin its upper position when the hopper assembly is removed from thedispensing unit.

The funnel head and the air circuit The mouth 90 of the hopper I56 fitsinto the upper end of a funnel head III). The funnel III) is madeintegral with and is positioned on one side of the central frame member20. On either side of the funnel III! at its upper end are suitablesupporting arms III which are engaged by the insulator buttons 88. Thethird button 88 rests on the upper end of the handle grip I I3 at I I2.

About half way down toward the mouth N4 of the funnel I II), the funnelside walls have two openings II5 (see Fig. 8) through which streams ofdry compressed air are introduced inside the funnel I I 0. These dry aircurrents keep the par ticles separated and keep a free flow of materialI through the funnel. The air, before introduction into the funnel,preferably, is dried by suitable apparatus before it is piped into theair inlet fitting IZO in the hollow standard I I (see Figs.

material of high conductivity, which material is heated by the heaterZEIII, described below.

There are two outlets from each air heater I25. One of these is througha tube I26 to the opening I I5 and into the funnel I It. To keep the airopenings I I5 from being plugged by the granular material, an agitatorrod I21 having a handle I28 is mounted in each opening IIS (see Fig. 8).

The other opening I 29 (see Fig. 14) from each chamber I25 allows acurrent of'air to flow radially outwardly under the heater ilt, throughthe notch 203, across the upper face of the measur,

ing disc I 30, and down through the slits I 3| in the base ring Id (seeFig. 9). This airstream scavenges any stray salt particles from themeasuring disc and directs any steam and moisture away from theapparatus.

The metering disc and lower closure assembly A rotatable spindle I32(Fig. 6) is suspended from the central frame member at and is supportedin it by suitable bearings. A handwheel I33 is pinned to the spindle I32 above the meter ing disc Hill, which may or may not be formedintegrally with the handwheel I33. A can turret or star wheel I34 isalso secured to and drives the spindle I32. The disc I36 and the turretI34 are adjustable on the spindle I32, so that they can be aligned todump the measured material in one opening I35 of the disc I353 when acan is in receiving position below. Preferably this is while the can isin engagement with an area I36 on the star wheel I34.

The metering disc I30 preferably is adjusted so that its upper surfaceis slightly below the level of the upper surface of the base ring I4 onwhich rests the flat base 2st of the heater 299. The disc, itself,includes a fiat annular portion I31 having a plurality of regularlyspaced cylindrical openings or pockets I35, corresponding in number tothe turret arms I35. Since the quantity measure of each pocket I35 isdetermined by its depth and diameter, the same machine may be used todispense different quantities by using a disc I 30 which has the size ofopenings I35 desired. To facilitate cleaning of the machine at the endof the days operation, the disc I35) has spokes I38 to support theannular I3'I and connect it to the hub I39.

A metering disc shield I48 (Figs. 6 and 9) is preferably employed belowthe disc ISO to close off most of the bottom of the measuring anddispensing mechanism and thereby prevent access to these parts of anysteam, vapor, moisture or cool air which may be present below themachine.

The shield I 40 fits in an annular recess M3 formed in the bottom of thering II. It is retained therein by a stationary screw or lug I44 and anoppositely posiitoned spring latch I45 portion carried in a: boss I".The shield extends completely'around the bottom. except for an opcning.at I42. through which the measured. material drops into-the can, andexcept. for the area coveredby the swing. shield ID The swing shield-I150 is held in position: by a spring; mounted rod I5I extending into atube I52 on; the ring Ht. Its purpose. is: to provide" an easilyremovable section of the shield: so that. access to the shoe let: may bereadily had.

Perforations I55 are provided in the swing shield I50, so that saltwhich may fall on the swing. shield may drop on through instead of.building up there. These perforations do not admit sufiic-ient' air. tonullify the protection of the shield I50, which gives suffici-entclosure as well as protection against splashes and sudden currents: of;steam or air.

The-swing shield I50, the shield t lt; and. the base ring I4. togetherform a substantially closed lower wall for the dispensing chamber. Theclosure plate 4i} forms the upper wall of the chamber andthe skirt lei}forms the side wall. This provides: a substantially closed, heatedchamber. for the dispensing mechanism and makes: possible maintenance ofatmospheric con-- ditions dry enough for dispensing even calciumchloride.

The magazine A-spring mounted magazine hit is provided for loading eachpocket I35 in the measuring disc I30, and it rests or floats lightly onthe top of the measuring disc (Figs. 1,, 8, 15, and 16). The mounting ofthe magazine is such that it imposes a minimum of friction on the disc.is important because the. disc is sometimes turned by the verylightpressure of. a can engaging the star wheel I34.

The. function of the magazine is to deposit the salt or other materialin the pockets ofv measuring disc. The particular magazine structuredescribed here has been found especially efiective in preventingpartially filled. pockets and uneven measurement.

The magazine rec comprisesv two: pieces: Hit and I162, both of which arecup-shaped" and have slanting interior walls. The lower piece Iii-i hasa flat bottom surface i813. It. engagesor floats on the measuring discI30 andlevelsthe salt in the opening I35 as the measur ng. disc slides:under it. Its upper surface its" is also; substantially flat, and.receives-the upper piece. orrim I 62. The bottom inside. edge r65 of therim is inset radially from the inside upper edge of the lower. pieceLEI. This provides a. projecting ledge I85 around the upper rim oi themagazine. Preferably the outlet HA from the funnel III) is below the:levelv of: the ledge I65. As will be pointed out later, the shape of thebottom opening in the magazine is: important. It is generally oval withthe long dimension. lying in the path traveled of the pockets I35 belowit. Also, atthe: ends of. the. oval itv has inverse circular arcportions I66, which some what coincide with: one wall. of the pockets:535.

These parts: functionas follows: Salt spillsinto the magazine from theoutlet H4 and as. it. fills the lower piece It! the level of; the. saltclimbs higher in the piece HSI. As the Incas uring disc revolves, thesalt in. the lower piece: IGI will be urged laterally in the directionof disc movement: with such force as to gradually raise the level of thesalt to the ledge I65, with-- out which the salt would eventuallyoverflow the end of the magazine. This construction provides 8 an evenflow through the magazine I60. onto the disc I30.

The magazine construction shown. makes possible the removal of theclosure plate 56 in the bottom of the feed tube 36 in our earlier PatentNo. 2,299,717. This closure plate forms a. bottom in the feed tube andthe flow of salt from the. feed tube to the magazine was in a generallyhorizontal direction through openings around the lower endof the feedtube wall. The presence of lumps in the salt would result in sluggishflow or stoppage of salt if the lumps were too large to pass through therestricted wall openings; with an open bottom feed tube, a lump smallenough toenter the top of the tube will readily pass downward to themagazine and be sheared off and-brokenup by the movement. of the pocketsin the disc.

The second advantage of the magazine comes from the sloping walls whichincline toward the magazine outlet. They allow the salt inthe-magazinetoflow readily to supplement the flow of the salt. in thetube when the pocket is below the outlet. Then the magazine refills fromthe tube during the interval between pockets. This produces a sort ofpulsating eiiect in the magazine and is important in getting a quickloading of the pocket. in the short interval it is below the magazine.

A third advantage of the magazine comes from the particular shape of itsoutlet which might bedescribed as generally oval, minus two oppositelypositioned inverse circular arcs IE5 in the pathof. the leading and.trailing edge of, the moving. pockets. The inverse circular arc I65 overthe leading edge of the pocket substantially'coincides with the edge ofthe pocket and efiects a wide opening the instant the filling starts.Likewise the circular arc Wt over the trailing edge will be a Wideopening up to the instant of clos-- ing. This means the oval shape withthe inverse arc gives a larger eiiective filling interval for a givenarc of movement of the pocket, as-compared with a. circular opening of'adiameter corresponding tor the distance between the inverse circulararcs. Such a circle is indicated by the dotted. lines X in Fig. 15.

By having a magazine opening of a maximum capacity for a minimum arc ofmovement of the pocket, itis possible to fill pockets suitable forsalting all the commercial can sizes with a minimum size of shoe andafixed. discharge point in relation to the can conveyor. This means theonly change in metering salt to various sized cans istochange the discI30 and star Wheel I34; The reasons a short shoe is important arethatfor the sake of user convenience the machine should operate bothways-i. e;,. forward and backward-and eachcan must clear before theneat! can, it any, isfilled, thus making. it imperative to dump the saltas near the tangent point of the disc pockets as possible. Thelatter-point ties tothe fact that the can pushing is: the can. filled.Thus if there is an interval in cans on the conveyor, there will be nosalt dumped with no can to receive it, and no can without salt when thnext. can comes down the conveyor.

A fourth. advantage of the magazine I60 is that the sloping wall andledge I65 over the inverse arcs I56 prevent spilling of the salt overthe edge of the magazine as the disc I30 tends to carry it from one endof the magazine to the other, and also the ledge I65 tends to deflectthe salt back along each side wall to keep the other ,9 end of themagazine filled. Another advantage is that the ledge and sloping wallstructure makes possible a magazine of a minimum vertical height,thereby greatly facilitating its ready removal for cleaning andinspection. Another advantage of the ledge idea is that it minimizes thedistance which the feed tube IIEI must extend down into the magazine. Innormal operation of the machine there will be only a small amount ofsalt bearing against the outside edge of the tube and that will be onlythe edge in the end of the magazine where the disc is tending to pile upthe salt. This means that there will not be an accumulation of salt inthe hopper burying the lower end of the feed tube and therebyinterfering with the flexible and free movement of the magazine on thedisc.

To keep the magazine aligned on the disc I30, the magazine hasvertically extending guide slots I68 on'its opposite outer walls, eachof which receives a fixed ball-end guide studITil supported on bosses INon the base ring I4.

To obtain the gentle floating action of the magazine on the disc I30, aspring-pressed, L- shaped rod I15, with a finger I15, is fitted into arecess I61 on each side of the magazine. Each rod I15 is mounted insidea tubular boss I11 which depends from the funnel housing I I 0. Anydesired tension is obtained by adjusting a cap I19 to vary thecompression on a spring I18 carried in the boss I11 and pressing on oneend against a flange on the rod I15 and on the other end against the topof the cap.

The spring pressed rods I15 make possible a very quick and easy removalof the magazine. This is important because after each days operation athorough cleaning of all the parts is advisable. Otherwise, overnightany salt or calcium chloride will harden and lump. To remove themagazine the operator lifts up on the rods I15 until the magazine clearsthe studs I it. Then he tilts the magazine until one edge will slidebeneath the bottom H4 of the funnel III). This tilting also removes therod fingers I16 from the recesses I 61 in the magazine.

The shoe The only time the lower end of the measuring pockets I35 needto be closed is the interval when each pocket is below the magazine andfor its movement from that position until it dumps the salt into thecan. In the present machine this interval is for about 40 degrees of itsrotation. It may be more or less. However, as explained in connectionwith the magazine, an important operating characteristic is to have theshoe as short as possible, which the oval inverted are opening makespossible.

Th closure of each pocket during the above interval is effected by ashoe I30 which bears gently against the bottom of the measuring discI30. As in the case of the magazine, this pressure should be kept to aminimum.

The shoe comprises a segment of a ring and preferably has a depressedcenter I94 with a rim I93 in a plane to bear against the bottom of themeasuring disc. The depressed center will fill with salt so that the netamount measured into each pocket will be the volume of the pocket. Asthe filled pocket is moved off the shoe, the contents of the pocket fallthrough. the opening I42 into the can which accomplished the moving ofthe disc by contact with the star wheel The shoe has a U-shapedsupporting member ISI which is adjustable in suitable holes by setscrews I95. When in position, the bottom of the U surrounds thesupporting tube 80 and gauges the radial position of the shoe.

Vertical support of the shoe is obtained by a rod I8I having a ball I 83mounted on its bent end I82. The end I82 fits in a slot W2 in the bottomof the shoe and prevents lateral displacement of the latter. The rod I3!is yieldably supported in a tube I 8!) by a spring I84 and thecompression on this spring is regulated by a nut I35 threaded on the endof the rod I8I.

When the operator is cleaning the machine he has a choice of completelyremoving the shoe or of removing the end I82 from the slot I92 andallowing the U-member I9I of the shoe to hang on the end I82. In thislatter position the shoe will drain easily during the cleaningoperation.

The heater To maintain an even, elevated temperature inside thedispensing chamber and to keep all the parts therein warmed, a heater 2%is provided (see Figs. 11, 12 and 13).

It comprises a plate segment 2M shaped to conform to and overlie themeasuring disc I30, except in the vicinity of the magazine I 60.Perforations 202 facilitate inspection of the pockets I35 as themeasuring disc rotates. The'plate 2M is supported on the base ring I4between the legs 2! and 22 of the main frame 20. The plate ZIII has asnug fit with the air heater chambers I25 under which it projects sothat there is'a maximum of heat conduction to the air heaters. Asmentioned earlier, there is a notch 203 in the forward bottom surface ofthe plate 20 i which heats, guides and deflects the air current acrossthe top of the measuring disc I30 (Fig. 14)

The plate 2M is heated by one .or more electrical heating elements 294.Two are shown here as they have proven adequate. Each is containedwithin a housing 205 secured to the plate 25. The housing has a slopingroof 296 against which the electrical heating element 204 contacts. Thiscontact is maintained by means of a wedge-shaped lower support 201 forthe heating element and a spring 298 which applies constant pressure tothe wedge. Heat is thus communicated by contact of the heating elementwith-the roof of the housing and with the wedge, whic in turn is incontact with the plate 2M A suitable electric lead-in circuit is shownat 86. The insulated sockets 2m and cord 85 provide a handle by whichthe heater 200 may be taken out of the machine while the heater is stillhot. The electrical wiring insulation thus provides the only handleneeded. 1

In addition to the foregoingadvantages, this heater plate 2%! is readilyremovable by the op erator for the cleaning operation. Another advantageof the wedge device is that new heating elements can be installed by anyelectrician, and the wedge will make certain that there is the necessaryfirm contact between the elements, the shell, and the wedge.

Operation The problems solved by this dispensing ma.- chine have beenthose existing heretofore, particularly in the canning industry wheresalt or calcium chloride in uniform. amounts is added to each can. Thesematerials are hygroscopic, and particularly is this true of calciumchloride. Heretofore no machine has been available to'dispense calciumchloride in a cannery. Around a 1i. cannery there isusually escapingsteam from the cookers, moisture item the washing machines, vaporsrising out of the filled cans, and generally a very humid atmosphericcondition. The present machine is able to dispense hygroscopicinaterials under any or all of the above adverse con- .ditions.

The machine .is-installed alongside the can line conveyor with the starwheel 134 extending into the path of the cans so that each can willengage an arm I36 and give it a. partial rotation. This partial rotationwill carry a measuring pocket 135 from under the magazine I69 into theposition shown in Fig. -9 so that the contentsv of the pocket will fallthrough the opening I42 into the can. This is repeated as each canrotates the star wheel.

At the start of each days operation the op erator turns on the electriccurrent which lights the globe 16 in the hopper dome and turns on sureinto the funnel Hi). The transparent walls of the hopper 60 show whenthe salt is getting low, and from time to time the inner :dome segment710 may beswung into the outer segment 7 [,or the outer segment Fl 1 maybe swung around the inner segment and fresh material poured inside thehopper ,where it is strained through the screen '65.

As salt passes through the .funnel l H), the par- .ticles arekeptseparated by the air current. If one of the air openings 115 shouldbecome plugged by the material, the rod 121 may be moved to free theopening.

From the mouth .1114 of the funnel H0, the material falls into themagazine I80, the sloping walls of the magazine and the inset edge 1950fthe upper magazine section, serving to prevent any overflow. The bottomof the magazine is closed by the disc 130, except when a measuringpocket .135 passes beneath it. The pocket then fills -up and stays fulluntil it is moved over the edge of the shoe 190 which allow it to emptyinto a can.

The air currents "directed under the heater 200 throughthe notches 203scavenge any remaining particles from the top of the disc I and carrythem outthrough theslits l3 l-at the same time blowing away any moistureor steam whichmay be lurking in the vicinity of the d pensing*mechanism.

During all this time the operations 'may be watched through thetransparent skirt I00 and the transparent hopper 60.

When, for any reason, it is desired to separate the hopper assembly fromth dispensing apparatus, the stopper v95 should be lowered to closethe'hopper mouth 90. Next the skirt N30 is raised,

.and is held in its raised position about the hopper -6fl by th elasticband 88. Then the heater 200 must be unplugged. The machine is thenready to be separated by raising each flared collar 54 against thespring 55, to free the socket connections on the standards H and I2. Thehopper as- 12 sembly may then be set aside, to .rest on the sockets 50,buttons 8!; and gasket 92. In this condition the salt may be leftthehopper overnight or for longer periods of storage.

At the end of each day's run the hopper should be removed as abovedescribed. Then th heater 200 should be removed. Next the swing shieldI50 depressed. It may be swung around to the front of the machine, andthe shield Mi may then be removed by pulling down the ring M5, androtating the shield until it will clear the legs H, l2, and it. Then themagazine Hill should be removed and the shoe I should be dropped down sothat it is hanging from the arm I82, or the shoe should be removed. Inthis condition the dispensing assembly may be steam cleaned and allowedto dry during the shut down. When placedback in use, the machine is puttogether in the reverse order.

We claim:

1. A dispensing and measuring machine adapted to handle hygroscopicmaterials, comprising a base member having an opening therethrough;aside and top walls cooperating with said base memberto define a chambertherea'bove that is-closed except for said base opening and an inletopening through said top wall; .a measuring disc mounted horizontallyadjacent said base opening for rotational movement about a verticalaxis, said disc having a plurality of concentrically located spacedmeasuring apertures therethrough; funnel means filling said inletopening for conveying hygroscopic material to said measuring disc anddispensing itinto each of said apertures, one at a time, as said discrotates-and the apertures serially pass beneath said funnel member;means for effecting a closure of said base opening beneath said discexcept for an outlet from said tunnel means through which said measuringdisc may empty its measured contents serially from each of saidapertures as it rotates, said outlet being relatively small inproportion to said base; means for closing each of said aperturesserially while it is beneath said funnel means and until it is over saidoutlet; and means extending below said base member and adapted to beactuated by a can passing beneath said outlet. for rotatin said disc sothat it empties the contents of one of said apertures through saidoutlet and into said can.

The machine of claim 1 in which 'said side walls are transparent, sothat the dispensing machinery within said chamber maybe observed as itoperates.

3. The machine of claim 1 in which there is means for heating theatmosphere of said chamher to maintain it in a dry condition.

4. The machine of claim 1 in which there is means for heating theinterior of said chamber and means for'blowing a stream of heated-airout through openings in said base member adjacent said outlet so thatmoist and cool air are blown away therefrom and do not gain entrance tothe dry atmosphere within said chamber.

5. Th device of claim 1 in which said closure means for said baseopening consists of two pieces, one of which has an opening that extendsover both said outlet and the'area below said measuring disc where saidfunnel means dispenses material into the apertures of said disc, theother piece comprising a separate swingable shield pivoted adjacentthe'outer rim of said base memher and closing ofi the said open areabelow said funnel and terminating at said outlet.

' '6. A dispensing and measuring apparatus adapted to handle hygroscopicgranular materials, comprising a base plate having an openingtherethrough; a frame member and an upper closure member both spacedabove said plate; side walls between said plate and said closure memberand cooperating with them to form a chamber closed except for saidopening; a vertical spindle rotatably mounted in said frame member; adisc having measuring pockets spaced around its periphery and secured tosaid spindle for rotation in said opening; means secured to said spindleand extending substantially below said opening. said means being adaptedfor actuation by a can for rotation of said disc; a magazine yieldablymounted on said frame member with its outlet in alignment with the pathof said pockets and in contact with said disc; a funnel mounted on saidframe member and forming part of said upper closure member, with itsoutlet emptying into said magazine; a shoe supported by said framemember for yieldable engagement with the bottom of said disc directlybelow said magazine; a bottom closure plate positioned below said discand said shoe and fitting in said opening in said base plate, saidclosure plate having an aperture therethrough located beyond the end ofsaid shoe through which the contents of a measuring pocket may fall intosaid can; and a heating member overlying said disc for substantially theentire rotational course of said measuring pockets except when they areunder the magazine.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the aperture through said closureplate extends also beneath said shoe and in which a swingable shield issecured to said base and supplements said bottom closure plate byclosing the portion of said aperture beneath said shoe.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 in which said side walls are constructedfrom transparent plastic so that the dispensing apparatus in saidchamber is visible from the outside during operation and in which saidtransparent plastic side walls are mounted releasably so that they canbe raised off said base plate to give direct access to the interior ofthe chamber.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 in which there is a hopper and storagereceptacle detachably secured on top of said frame member and having anoutlet from said hopper in line with said funnel, whereby materialcontained in said hopper may flow into said funnel.

10. The device of claim 9 in which there i an obstruction in said outletto narrow its opening and thereby relieve the weight of the column ofgranular material on said magazine.

' 11. The device of claim 6 having also air heating means adjacent saidheating member, a source of air under pressure to supply air to said airheating means, and an air conduit therefrom with an outlet adjacent theinside top surface of said disc to direct a stream of air outwardlyacross the top of said disc to remove therefrom any stray granularparticles.

12. The device of claim 11 in which there is a notch in the lower edgeof said heating member overlying said air outlet to direct said aircurrent downwardly onto said disc.

13. The device of claim 11 in which there is a pair of said air-heatingmeans, with one near and overlying each end of said heating member andshaped to provide recesses, which serve to secure the latter in place onsaid base plate.

14. A dispensing and measuring apparatus adapted to handle hygroscopicgranular materials, comprising a base plate having an openingtherethrough; a frame member and an upper closure member both spacedabove said plate; side walls between said plate and said closure memberand cooperating with them to form a chamber closed except for saidopening; a vertical spindle rotatably mounted in said frame member; adisc having measuring pockets spaced around its periphery and secured tosaid spindle for rotation in said opening; means secured to said spindleand extending substantially below said opening, said means being adaptedfor actuation by a can for rotation of said disc; a magazine yieldablymounted on said frame member with its outlet in alignment with the pathof said pockets and in contact with said disc; a funnel mounted on saidframe member and forming part of said upper closure member, with itsoutlet emptying into said magazine; a shoe supported by said framemember for yieldable engagement with the bottom of said disc directlybelow said magazine; and a bottom closure plate positioned below saiddisc and said shoe and fitting in said opening in said base plate saidclosure plate having an aperture therethrough located beyond the end ofsaid shoe through which the contents of a measuring pocket may fall intsaid can.

WILLIAM J. EMMONS. BERNARD S. GALLAGHER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 748,894 Trump Jan. 5, 1904 1,282,310 Strasburger Oct. 22, 19181,346,141 Steere July 13, 1920 1,458,903 Holmquist June 12, 19231,460,198 Hansen June 26, 1923 1,632,165 Bergmann et a1. June 14, 19271,876,332 Mabey Sept. 6, 1932 2,299,717 Emmons et a1 Oct. 20, 1942FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 690,213 France Sept. 17, 1930

